Informal- candid, perhaps- portraits: I volunteer at a local museum which sponsors a kid's event each Saturday and I photograph what looks fun. The meeting room is a challenge, with...

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

I volunteer at a local museum which sponsors a kid's event each Saturday and I photograph what looks fun. The meeting room is a challenge, with fluorescent and tungsten lights and big windows, too. This time of year, there's direct sun shining on about 25% of the seats. This morning was typical but thought I'd try some casual portraits... and kids are fun anyway.

Best light in the house
Best light in the house...

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reflected sun and tungsten above

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Had to do some PP gymnastics to get some shape to her face - don't know how she got the shiner....

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Direct sun and reflected light - yup, arm is burnt up...

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lehighjack Loc: somewhere in FL

I rarely comment on other's work, kudos! If you had said you used a beauty dish , a snoot, barn doors, mono lights, etc. I would have said, nice job. However, on the fly with existing, multiple light sources you have created some excellent pictures. I am trying to figure out if you did a lot of PP, really does not matter. Great photos!

Rongnongno Loc: FL

At the very least good exploitation of the lighting.
Good catch on kids expression's (even if I am not too sure of #2).
Unlike many folks who PP portraits yours is flawless. (LR for Mac)

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

Thanks so much, lehighjack! Most PP is trying to tame shadows/highlights- which, usually, calls for a couple of curves adjustment layers. In truth, the heavy work is knocking down the background to let the subject shine... to include some judicious cropping.

lehighjack wrote:

I rarely comment on other's work, kudos! If you had said you used a beauty dish , a snoot, barn doors, mono lights, etc. I would have said, nice job. However, on the fly with existing, multiple light sources you have created some excellent pictures. I am trying to figure out if you did a lot of PP, really does not matter. Great photos!

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

Very kind words Rongnongno, Thanks! and thanks again for taking the time to look and comment.

Rongnongno wrote:

At the very least good exploitation of the lighting.
Good catch on kids expression's (even if I am not too sure of #2).
Unlike many folks who PP portraits yours is flawless. (LR for Mac)

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I love candid shots. Yours are really fantastic!

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

Thanks, SB (we share the same initials... hilarious (not) folk think my middle name is Oscar)

I like candid portraits... expressions are genuine and all the photographer has to do is be ready.

Thanks for dropping by - and commenting, too!

sb wrote:

I love candid shots. Yours are really fantastic!

Tikva Loc: Waukesha, WI

Excellent series of photos of the kids. My favorite is the first one, but they are all nice. The PP is not evident which is good. Can't tell that there was any PP, which is what I like. I prefer the natural look.

alissaspieces Loc: New York

You have an amazing sense of informal, candid portraiture. Even though these are candids, they feel like lifestyle photography. The pp def worked amazingly well as you have isolated the subjects beautifully. However, what you have such a great feel for is the use of subtle foreground in each picture which adds so much to the shots! Your sense of composition is so strong that even though these are candids they feel professional. Thanks for sharing!

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

I'm doing me best to not "over cook" and sometimes I get lucky. Glad you enjoyed them Tikva, Thanks!

On another matter, do you by chance know a Maier Family in Waukesha?

Tikva wrote:

Excellent series of photos of the kids. My favorite is the first one, but they are all nice. The PP is not evident which is good. Can't tell that there was any PP, which is what I like. I prefer the natural look.

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

Thanks so much alissapieces, but you give me way too much credit. I'm afraid any sophisticated composition or fortunate arrangement is happenstance and coaxed from the original image with luck and wine.... and somehow it works out often enough... I do appreciate your kind words- especially given the wonderful images you've produced of late. Thanks again!

alissaspieces wrote:

You have an amazing sense of informal, candid portraiture. Even though these are candids, they feel like lifestyle photography. The pp def worked amazingly well as you have isolated the subjects beautifully. However, what you have such a great feel for is the use of subtle foreground in each picture which adds so much to the shots! Your sense of composition is so strong that even though these are candids they feel professional. Thanks for sharing!

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Superb photojournalism... My compliments especially on the endearing second image... It's only issue is your D810 locked on her left sleeve and not her near eye... I realize subject isolation is preferable but having the near eye razor sharp comes with the territory does it not? At 1/400 second ISO 1400 f/4 might possibly have allowed a tad more DOF than f/2.8... Just a thought

Thank you for sharing fuminous...
I wish you well on your journey...

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

You're right of course, Thomas, but I'm often lazy at focusing, relying on camera and contrast instead. Also, the young lady wasn't particularly enthusiastic about being photographed and rarely looked my way so, one takes what one can get.
Your comments and compliments are much appreciated; THANKS!

Thomas902 wrote:

Superb photojournalism... My compliments especially on the endearing second image... It's only issue is your D810 locked on her left sleeve and not her near eye... I realize subject isolation is preferable but having the near eye razor sharp comes with the territory does it not? At 1/400 second ISO 1400 f/4 might possibly have allowed a tad more DOF than f/2.8... Just a thought

Thank you for sharing fuminous...
I wish you well on your journey...